Carton end-closing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for inserting an endpiece or boot into each end of a carton to close the carton ends, comprising a pair of opposed boot-inserting assemblies and a conveyor for advancing an openended carton laterally into endwise alignment with the two inserting assemblies. Each inserting assembly includes a suction head for holding a boot to be inserted, mechanism for advancing the head into a carton end to insert the boot therein, fixed guide structure in the path of advance of the head for folding the edges of the boot, and means for applying glue to the folded edges of the boot prior to insertion thereof in the carton. Each inserting assembly further includes a conveyor for delivering successive boot blanks to a position beneath the path of head advance, means for moving the head pivotally for pickup of a blank thus delivered, and pivoted arms connected to the head for folding a blank, after pickup by the head, to form a boot.

United States Patent [191 Boltz et al.

[ 1 Jan. 21,1975

[ CARTON END-CLOSING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Duane A. Boltz, East Brunswick,

N.J.; James J. Gardner, Hamilton, Ohio [73] Assignee: Alean Aluminum Corporation,

Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: June 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 369,796

[52] US. Cl. 53/296, 53/284 [51] Int. Cl B65b 7/28 [58] Field of Search 53/290, 296, 297, 284,

53/287, 306, 319, 321, 324, 383; 93/55.1 R, 55.1 P, 39.1 R, 39.1 P, 51 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,552,814 9/1925 Anderson 53/284 X 2,558,456 6/1951 Palmer s 53/284 X 2,869,440 1/1959 Zerlin et all... 93/55.1 P 2,912,809 11/1959 Bowman 1 53/284 X 3,511,138 4/1967 Baker 93/51 R 3,690,091 9/1972 Christensson 93/55.l P X Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant ExaminerH0race M. Culver Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cooper, Dunham, Clark, Griffin & Moran [5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for inserting an endpiece or boot into each end of a carton to close the carton ends, comprising a pair of opposed boot-inserting assemblies and a conveyor for advancing an open-ended carton laterally into endwise alignment with the two inserting assemblies. Each inserting assembly includes a suction head for holding a boot to be inserted, mechanism for advancing the head into a carton end to insert the boot therein, fixed guide structure in the path of advance of the head for folding the edges of the boot, and means for applying glue to the folded edges of the boot prior to insertion thereof in the carton. Each inserting assembly further includes a conveyor for delivering successive boot blanks to a position beneath the path of head advance, means for moving the head pivotally for pickup of a blank thus delivered, and pivoted arms connected to the head for folding a blank, after pickup by the head, to form a boot.

8 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTED I975 3.861 ,122

sum 1 or 7 PATENTEUJAHZI 3.86 1.122

SHEEI u 0F 7 PATENTEUJANZHWE 3.861.122

SHEET 8 [IF 7 PATENTED 3.861.122 sum TUF 7 Tia. 15.

CARTON END-CLQSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to packaging apparatus and in particular to apparatus for forming a carton around an article or array of articles to be packaged. Specifically the invention is directed to apparatus for closing the ends of a carton by inserting therein end pieces known as boots.

in the packaging art, it is common practice to enclose an article or array of articles in a carton by placing the article or articles on a flat longitudinally scored carton blank (e.g. fabricated of corrugated board), folding the blank around the contents, and adhering the over-, lapped longitudinal edges of the folded blank to form a tubelike carton structure of rectangular cross section with open ends projecting beyond the contents. Enclosure of the contents may be completed by inserting a closing piece called a boot in each open end of the carton, and securing the boots in place.

As herein contemplated, a boot is a boxlike element (also commonly fabricated of corrugated board) dimensioned to fit snugly within the carton end. The boot includes a flat rectangular base portion extending across the opening of the carton and (when the boot is in place) offset inwardly of the carton end; preferably this base portion is made up of two or more plies of corrugated board to insure that it will not be deformed or pierced by the contents of the carton. In addition, the boot includes flanges or edge portions surrounding the base portion and projecting outwardly therefrom for closely engaging the inner surfaces of the end portion of the carton walls. These flanges are stapled or otherwise secured to the carton walls to hold the boot in place. As thus mounted, the boot provides a closed recessed end for the carton and is characterized by advantageous strength and security of closure.

One illustrative use of cartons of the type described having ends closed by boots is in the packaging of metal siding panels for building construction. A stack of the panels is placed on an elongated carton blank which is folded laterally around the stack to provide a carton having open ends projecting in each direction beyond the ends of the stack, and boots are then inserted into these ends to close the carton, protecting the stack of panels and preventing any substantial longitudinal shifting of the panels within the carton. That is to say, the boot type of carton end closure has been found especially satisfactory in the packaging of heavy and somewhat shiftable articles such as stacks of metal panels.

Although apparatus has been devised providing at least partially automated operation in folding and laterally closing a carton blank around contents such as a stack of panels, the end closure of such cartons, i.e. by insertion of boots therein and fastening of the boots in place. has heretofore been performed manually, The necessity of manually inserting and securing the boots is economically undesirable in that it tends to reduce the speed of the overall packaging operation and adds to the labor cost thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for closing the ends of a carton by inserting and securing boots therein in a fullyautomated manner.

advance of the head for bending edge portions of a boot carried by the head as the head advances toward 'a carton end; and means, also disposed in the path of head advance, for applying glue to the folded edge portions of the boot.

As a further feature of the invention, the apparatus is arranged to form a boot from a scored flat blank (e.g. fabricated of corrugated board) prior to insertion of the boot in a carton end. As thus arranged, the apparatus also includes means for delivering a blank to a position beneath the path of head advance; means for pivotally moving the head out of and into the path of advance for pickup of a blank thus delivered and return of the head, carrying the blank, to the path; and means, including at least one pivoted arm connected to the head, for engaging and folding a blank held by the head to form the blank into a boot.

In specific embodiments, the apparatus of the invention is adapted for use with a blank shaped and scored to be folded in thirds, i.e., along two spaced parallel lines, thereby to provide a boot having a three-ply base portion with edges or flanges projecting on all four sides of the base portion. A pair of folding arms, pivotable in succession and in respectively opposite directions, are connected to the head. In picking up the blank, the head engages a portion of the blank adjacent one end thereof and conveys the blank into the path of head advance. A first folding arm pivots to produce a first fold in the blank, and the second folding arm then pivots in the oppositedirection to perform the second fold in the blank as the first folding arm is retracted. The second folding arm remains in position, holding thefolds of the blank in place, until the boot is advanced with the head toward the guide means. Means may also be mounted on the head for retractably inserting a pin therethrough into the plural plies of the boot base portion to retain them in properly folded relation as the boot is inserted into a carton end; upon such insertion the pin is retracted, releasing the boot.

The head is dimensioned to engage the outwardly facing surface of the base portion of the boot, but the scored edge portions of the boot project outwardly in all four directions beyond the head so that upon advance of the headpast the guide means, the edges are folded by the guide means (i.e. bent in a direction opposite tothe direction of head advance) while the base portion of the boot remains flat. The gluing means applies glue to the outer surfaces of these edge portions which will come into contact with the inner surfaces of the carton end, for adherence of the boot to the carton.

The combination of boot-inserting means, guide means, gluing means, blank-delivering means, headpivoting means, folding arms, and associated instrumentalities described above constitutes a complete boot-inserting assembly in accordance with the invention. For providing simultaneous closure of opposite ends of a carton, the carton-advancing means comprises a conveyor for laterally advancing an openended carton along a defined path and suitable stop means for releasably arresting a carton at a predetermined locality in the path. Two of the boot-inserting assemblies described above are respectively mounted in opposed relation on opposite sides of the carton conveyor at the locality of arrest of a carton by the stop means, so as to be aligned with the opposite open ends of a carton thus arrested. Upon arrest of the carton, the two assemblies operate simultaneously to insert boots into the opposite ends of the carton. This simultaneous operation of the two assemblies effectively prevents longitudinal displacement of the carton in either direction incident to insertion of the boots. Upon completion of the boot-inserting and -securing operation, the heads are withdrawn from the carton ends (leaving the glued boots in place in the carton) and the stop means are operated to release the carton for further advance by the conveyor beyond the boot-inserting locality.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description hereinbelow set forth, together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carton containing metal siding panels, and having open ends closable with boots inserted by the apparatus of the present invention, the boots being shown in exploded relation to the carton;

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic plan view of apparatus embodying the present invention in a particular form adapted to close the ends of a carton of the type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of one end-closing assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, showing the suction head of the assembly in position to pick up a boot blank;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary views similar to FIG. 7 showing successive steps in folding of a boot blank by the assembly of FIG. 4 after the blank is picked up by the suction head;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary views similar to FIG. 7 showing successive steps in insertion of a boot blank into a carton end by the assembly of FIG. 4, after the blank has been folded as shown in FIGS. 8 10;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the suction head, taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12 and partly broken away; and

FIGS. l4, l5, l6, l7 and 18 are perspective views of a boot blank adapted for use with the assembly of FIG. 4, showing successive stages in folding of the blank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION For purposes of specific illustration, the invention will be described as embodied in apparatus for closing the ends of a carton containing a stack of elongated metal siding panels, Le. a carton of the type shown in FIG. 1.

This carton, generally designated 10, is formed from an elongated, flat, longitudinally scored corrugated board blank of rectangular configuration on which is placed a stack of panels 11 to be packaged. The blank is longer than the stack of panels and thus projects at each end beyond the panels.

The scored blank is folded around the panels so as to enclose them laterally, and the overlapping longitudinal edge portions 12 and 14 of the folded blank (shown as disposed along one side of the stack of panels) are secured together as by gluing or stapling. In this way, there is formed an elongated carton of rectangular cross section having open ends 16 and 18 which project substantially equidistantly beyond the respective ends of the enclosed stack of panels. As will be understood. the formation of this open-ended carton 10 may be performed in any suitable (e.g. conventional) manner.

End closure of the carton I0 is effected by inserting and securing, in the respective open ends 16 and 18 of the carton, a pair of boots 20. Each boot 20 is fabricated of corrugated board and comprises a flat rectangular base portion 21 and flange or edge portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 projecting outwardly from the base portion on the four sides thereof to constitute, with the base portion, an outwardly open boxlike element shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly within the open carton end 16 or 18.

When the boot 20 is mounted in carton-closing position within the end 16 or 18, the base portion 21 is closely adjacent the proximate extremity of the contained stack of panels 11 and is thus offset inwardly from the end of the carton, extending across the entire area of the carton end opening. The outwardly projecting edge portions of the boot are contiguous with the inner surfaces of the end portions of the carton walls; these edge portions (22, 23, 24 and 25) project outwardly from the base portion 21, their outer edges being substantially flush with the adjacent end edges of the carton walls. Consequently, the boot. when mounted in an end of the carton and adhered thereto as by deposits 26 of glue placed on the outer surfaces of the boot edge portions, provides a recessed closure for the carton end. The apparatus of the present invention in its embodiments now to be described is arranged to form, insert, and secure boots 20 in the opposite open ends of each of successive cartons 10.

Referring first to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus in this embodiment includes a suitably driven horizontal belt conveyor 30 for advancing a succession of cartons 10 laterally (i.e. transversely of their length) in the direction indicated by arrows 31a to and beyond a bootinserting station 31. The cartons as advanced by conveyor 30 to the station 31 (e.g. from a carton-forming locality, not shown) are laterally sealed, and contain stacks of panels, but are open ended. A pair of identical boot-inserting assemblies generally designated 32 are disposed in'aligned facing relation on opposite sides of the conveyor 30 at station 31 in position to effect simultaneous insertion of a pair of boots 20 into the respectively opposite ends 16 and 18 of a carton 10 at that station. Beyond the station 31 the cartons 10 (with their ends now closed by boots 20) are successivelyadvanced eg to a suitable stacking locality (also not shown).

At station 31, a pair of stops 34 are mounted in the path of the advancing cartons, in position to engage opposite end portions of the leading lateral edge of an open-ended carton travelling on the conveyor, for arrest of the carton in a position in which its ends are aligned with the boot-inserting assemblies 32. Each of these stops 34 is shown as comprising an axially vertical rod 34a projecting upwardly (beneath the path of carton advance) from a cylinder 34b operable (e.g. hydraulically or pneumatically) to raise and lower rod 34a into and out of the path of the cartons. When an open-ended carton is approaching the station 31 on conveyor 30, the rods 34a are raised to engage and arrest the carton as shown. Upon completion of the bootinserting operation of assemblies 32, rods 34a are lowered to permit the carton to be advanced by conveyor 30 beyond station 31, and thereafter rods 34a are raised again to engage and similarly arrest the next advancing carton. As will be understood, stops 34 are arranged to operate in synchronism with the bootinserting assemblies 32, and the conveyor drive (not shown) may also operate in synchronism therewith, i.e. to halt the conveyor during periods when a carton 10 is arrested at station 31 to receive boots from the assemblies 32.

The structure and operation of one of the two identical boot-inserting assemblies 32 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4 13. Each assembly 32 generally includes a suction head 36 for holding a boot to be inserted in a carton end, and means including a carriage 37 for moving the head 36 along a defined horizontal path (al'gned with the longitudinal axis of a carton arrested at station 31) between a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 4 and 11) and an extended position (shown in FIG. 12) at which a boot carried by the head is inserted within the facing end of a carton arrested at station 31. Each assembly 32 further includes a plurality of fixed guide members 38 mounted in the aforementioned path of movement of head 36 for engaging and outwardly folding edge portions of a boot carried by the head, i.e. as the boot is advanced by the head from the retracted to the extended position; and a plurality of glue-applying elements 40, also mounted in the aforementioned path of head advance, for depositing glue on the external surfaces of the folded edge portions of a boot being advanced by the head. In addition, each assembly 32 includes a conveyor 42 for delivering flat scored corrugated boot blanks 44 in succession to a locality beneath the retracted position of head 36; means including a cylinder 46 for effecting pivotal movement of head 36 at the retracted position so as to enable the head to pick up a blank 44; and a pair of pivoted folding arms 48 and 50, connected to the head, for folding a blank 44 (after pickup by the head) to form a boot.

Head 36 is a rigid rectangular element and, as stated, is adapted to hold a boot by suction in facing relation to the end of a carton 10 at station 31 during the described advance of the head from retracted to extended position. The boot-engaging surface of the head (which is shaped and dimensioned in general conformity with the base portion 21 of a boot) has apertures or perforations for application of suction to hold the boot securely against the head; suction is provided for the head, through means such as flexible conduits 52 connected thereto, from a suitable and e.g. conventional source of vacuum (omitted from FIG. 4 for simplicity of illustration).

The head is welded to one end of a supporting bar 58, which is secured at its other end to a shaft 60 carried by a bearing 62 for rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the horizontal path of head movement between the retracted and extended positions. Bearing 62 is mounted on a bracket 64 fixed to, and depending from, the carriage 37. Cylinder 46 (which may be, for example, a pneumatic cylinder) is pivotally connected to the undersurface of the carriage and depends therefrom. This cylinder has a piston rod 66 pivotally connected at its free end to an arm 68 secured to shaft 60 so that extension and retraction of the piston rod effects rotary movement of shaft 60 and of head 36 connected thereto by bar 58. Specifically, when the rod 66 is extended as shown in FIG. 4, the bar 58 is horizontal and the head 36 is in the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 4, with its boot-engaging surface in a vertical plane and disposed for rectilinear advance into the end of a carton at station 31. Retraction of rod 66 effects counterclockwise rotation of shaft 60, bar 58 and head 36 (about the horizontal axis of the shaft). causing the head to swing or pivot downwardly through 90 to the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, in which the boot-engaging surface of the head faces downwardly immediately above the conveyor 42 for pickup of a boot blank 44. Upon extension of the rod 66 again, the head is rotated back upwardly (i.e. clockwise in FIG. 4) through 90 to its initial (solid line) position.

The folding arm 48 is a generally L-shaped element pivotally mounted (for rotation about a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the shaft 60) on a bracket 70 secured to and projecting upwardly from the bar 58 behind the head 36. Arm 48 is also connected to the pis ton 72 of a pneumatic cylinder 73 which is pivotally connected to bar 58. Extension and retraction of the piston rod 72, by operation of cylinder 73, effects pivotal movement of arm 48 through 90 in a vertical plane, between the rest position illustrated in FIG. 4 (wherein the free limb 48a of arm 48 is disposed above and behind head 36) and an operative position displaced 90 clockwise from the rest position, in which limb 480 projects downwardly in front of the bootengaging surface of head 36. As hereinafter further explained, movement of the arm 48 from the rest position to the operative position performs a first folding operation on a boot blank held by the head 36.

The other folding arm 50 is similarly a generally L- shaped element and is pivoted (for rotary movement about a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of the shaft 60) on a bracket 74 secured to and depending from bar 58. A pneumatic cylinder 76 pivotally connected to bar 58 has a piston 78 pivotally connected to arm 50 for effecting rotation of arm 50, i.e. in correspondence with extension and retraction of piston rod 78 effected by operation of cylinder 76. When the piston is retracted, arm 50 is in a rest position at which its free limb 50a is disposed beneath and behind the head 36. Extension of piston rod 78 rotates arm 50 clockwise through 90 in a vertical plane to an operative position (shown in FIG. 4) in which the free limb 50a is disposed in front of the lower portion of head 36. As the limb 50a (which may bear a small roller 50b, to insure smooth contact with a boot blank being folded) swings upwardly in front of the head 36 during extension of the piston rod 78, it performs a secondfolding operation on a boot blank previously first folded by operation of arm 48, again as hereinafter further explained.

The entire subassembly comprising the head 36, folding arms 48 and 50, and their pivotal mountings and associated cylinders 46, 73 and 76 is carried by and movable with the carriage 37. This carriage 37 is secured by brackets 80 to sleeves 82 slidably mounted on a pair of fixed, parallel, axially horizontal rods 84 which extend across the entire width of the apparatus, i.e. across the conveyor 30 and both of the boot-inserting assemblies 32, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advance of cartons on conveyor 30.

As thus mounted, carriage 37 is disposed beneath rods 84 and is arranged for sliding movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the rods, which serve as a common track for the carriages of the two bootinserting assemblies of the apparatus, thereby insuring precise alignment of both assemblies. It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the sliding movement of carriage 37 effects horizontal movement of head 36 between the aforementioned retracted and extended positions, i.e. for insertion of a boot into the end of a carton 10 arrested at station 31. Means, illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 as a hydraulic cylinder 86 (fixedly mounted on a transverse horizontal member 92 of a stationary frame structure 87 of the apparatus) having a piston 88 connected to the carriage 37, are provided for effecting the described horizontal movement of the carriage transporting the head 36 therewith.

The guide members 38.and glue-applying elements 40 are secured to a stationary frame 90 fixedly suspended from the transverse horizontal member 92 of the frame structure 87, for engagement with the edge portions of a boot being advanced with head 36 along the described horizontal path of head movement into the end of a carton 10 at station 31. Eight guide members 38 are provided in the illustrated-apparatus, each comprising a flat metal bar with a major extent projecting toward conveyor 30 parallel to the direction of horizontal movement of the head 36. The end of each guide member remote from the conveyor 30 is bent outwardly away from the aforementioned path of head movement.

These eight guide members 38 are so disposed as to define a throat of rectangular cross section, through which the head 36 passes in advancing from retracted to extended position, two of the guide membersbeing positioned on each side of the throat. The bent ends of the guide members cooperatively define a flaring entrance for the throat. They are adapted to engage edge portions of a boot carried by head 36 as the advancing head 36 enters the throat so as to bend these edge portions over the head into the boxlike configuration shown in FIG. 1. As the head advances further through the throat toward the open end of a carton at station 31, the straight portions of the guide members hold the edge portions of the boot in this bent condition, to facilitate insertion of the boot into a carton end.

The glue-applying elements 40 may be individually conventional in character each including an applicator and means for supplying glue to the applicator. These gluing elements 40 are mounted on all four sides of the throat defined by guide members 38, with their applicators projecting between the straight portions of the spaced guide members for engagement with the outer surfaces of the folded edge portions of a boot being advanced by head 36 through the throat for transfer of glue from the applicators to the last-mentioned surfaces of the boot edge portions. In this way, bands of glue 26 (FIG. 1) are provided on the boot surfaces which will come into contact with the inner wall surfaces of a carton end, for secure adherence of the boot within the carton end.

The boot-blank conveyor 42 includes a pair of spaced parallel belts 93 extending around a drive roller 94 and a guide roller 95 and having coplanar horizontal upper runs oriented to advance a boot blank 44 along a path below and parallel to the aforementioned path of horizontal advance of the head 36. The conveyor is driven by a motor 96, and is supported in a horizontal frame 98 secured to the frame structure 87.

As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor extends between a stacking station 100 disposed rearwardly of the retracted position of head 36 and a pickup station 102 disposed generally beneath the retracted position of head 36, i.e. so that a boot blank 44 positioned at station 102 can be engaged and picked up by the head 36 when the head is pivoted downwardly from its retracted position by the abovedescribed operation of cylinder 46.

Each boot blank 44 is initially a flat scored corrugated board blank adapted to be folded into a boot 20. In operation of the apparatus, a stack of such blanks (appropriately oriented, as hereinafter described) is disposed on the conveyor at the stacking station I00. Immediately forwardly of station 100, i.e. in the path of advance of blanks 44 to station 102, is a vertical wall 104 secured to the frame structure 87 and extending downwardly, in a plane transverse to the path of advance of blanks on the conveyor 42, to a level immediately above the conveyor. This wall cooperates with the conveyor and associated frame structure 98 to define a horizontal slot 106 having a width slightly greater than the thickness of one blank 44. The stacked blanks at station 100 are positioned with their leading edges in abutting relation to the rear surface of wall 104. Slot 106 permits selective advance of one blank at a time, i.e. from the bottom of the stack, from station 100 to station 102 upon operation of the conveyor.

Mounted beneath station 100 is a pneumatic cylinder 108 having a vertically reciprocable head 110 positioned between the belts of conveyor 42. When the head 110 is retracted, the lowermost boot blank 44 of the stack at station 100 rests on the conveyor belts and can be advanced thereby through slot 106 toward station 102, i.e. as the conveyor is driven. When a blank is thus advanced from the stack through the slot I06, the piston 110 is raised by cylinder 108 after the trailing edge of'the advancing blank passes beyond the piston. This elevation of the piston lifts the remaining blanks in the stack at station 100 off the conveyor belts, so as to prevent advance of more than one blank at a time from station 100 by the belts through slot 106.

Another similar cylinder 112 is disposed beneath the pickup station 102 and has a vertically reciprocable piston 114 positioned between the belts 93 at that station. In retracted position, piston 114 is slightly below the upper runs of the belts 93, to permit unobstructed delivery of a blank 44 to station 102. When a blank is positioned at station 102, and head 36 is pivoted downwardly to the pickup position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, cylinder 112 raises piston 114 to lift the blank at station 102 above the conveyor belts and into contact with the boot-engaging surface of head 36 (as also shown in broken lines in FIG. 4) to ensure that the blank will be gripped by suction by head 36.

A stop 115, illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 and e.g. secured to and projecting upwardly from frame 98, is positioned to engage the leading edge of a blank 44 delivered to station 102 so as to arrest the blank at a precise selected position for pickup by the head 36.

The operation of the described apparatus may now be readily understood. Prior to startup, a plurality of properly oriented flat scored boot blanks are stacked at the station 100. Head 36 is initially in its retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4.

The conveyor 42 is driven to advance the lowest blank 44 on the stack to the pickup station 102, and the conveyor 42 then halts. Cylinder 46 is operated to retract piston rod 66, causing the head 36 to swing downwardly through 90 to the position shown in FIG. 7, at which the boot-engaging surface of head 36 is immediately above the blank 44 at the pickup station. At this time, both folding arms 48 and 50 are in their retracted positions, as also shown in FIG. 7.

Suction is now applied to the head 36, and with the aid of piston 114 (which is operated by cylinder 112 to raise the blank 44 at station 102 into contact with the head), the head 36 grips the boot blank by suction. Cylinder 46 moves piston 66 to rotate the head 36 90 clockwise, i.e. back to the retracted position as shown in FIG. 8. The blank 44, gripped by the head, is carried therewith to the latter position.

As will be explained subsequently, the head is in engagement with one end portion of the blank, and as the head rises, the major extent of the blank becomes partially folded by gravity along a first scored line 44a aligned with the top edge of the head 36, as also shown in FIG. 8.

While the head is retained in the retracted position, cylinder 73 extends piston 72 to cause the upper folding arm 48 to rotate 90 counterclockwise into engagement with the blank carried by the head, completing the first fold of the blank along scored line 44a and pressing the major extent of the blank against the portion of the blank gripped by the head, as shown in FIG. 9. Cylinder 76 then extends piston 78 to rotate the second folding arm 50 90 clockwise; the arm 50 engages the lower portion of the major extent of the blank and folds it upwardly along a second scored line 44b as shown in FIG. 10, while cylinder 73 retracts arm 48, as shown in FIG. 10. At the completion of its angular advance, arm 50 presses the now doubly folded blank against the head and is retained in this advanced position as shown in FIG.- 11. The blank thus folded comprises a boot having a three-ply base portion 21 (FIG. 11); one ply of this base portion continues to be held by suction against the head 36 while the other plies are retained in place by arm 50.

As shown in FIG. 13, a cylinder 116 bearing a pinshaped element 117 is mounted on the rear of head 36 boot-inserting assemblies 32) and there arrested by the stop means 34. Cylinder 86 now advances the carriage 37, and the head 36 carried therewith, in the direction indicated by arrow 120 in FIG. 4, i.e. moving the head 36 from its retracted position to its extended position. As the head thus advances into and through the throat defined by the guide members 38, edge portions of the boot projecting beyond the head engage the guide members 38 and are folded in a direction opposite to the direction of head advance. The glue-applying elcments 40 engage the external surfaces of these folded edge portions of the boot as the head continues its advance through the throat, applying glue to those surfaces.

At the completion of the head-advancing stroke, illustrated in FIG. 12, the head presses the boot into the open carton end and the glue-bearing surfaces of the boot edge portions come into contact with the inner walls of the carton at such end. The head is held in the extended position shown in FIG. 12 for a brief delay period, to insure adherence of the boot to the carton by the glue, while cylinder 116 is operated to retract pin 117. Provision of suction for the head is cut off at this time, thus fully releasing the delivered boot from the head. Subsequently the head is withdrawn by operation of cylinder 86 and returned with the carriage 37 to its retracted position. The inserted boot 20 remains in place in the carton end. The carton is released by stop 34 and advanced beyond station 31 by conveyor 30.

During the time when the first boot blank picked up by head 36 is being folded and inserted into a carton end by the above-described operation of the head and its associated elements, a second boot blank 44 is advanced to the pickup station 102 by the conveyor 42. Upon retraction of the head at the end of thebootinserting cycle, cylinder 46 operates to pivot the head downwardly again to the pickup station, i.e. to pick up this next boot blank for folding and insertion in the end of the next carton delivered to station 31 by conveyor 30.

The two assemblies 32 of the apparatus operate synchronously to effect simultaneous insertion of, boots in the opposed ends of a carton 10 arrested at station 31. Operation of the boot inserting assemblies and of conveyor 30 and stops 34 may be conducted entirely auto- I matically through appropriate control circuitry incorin register with a channel 118 extending diagonally for- I ward through the head and openingthrough the bootengaging surface of the head. While the plies of the folded boot are held against the head by arm 50 as shown in FIG. 11, cylinder 116 is operated to advance pin 117 through channel 1 18 and into the three plies of the boot base portion 21. The pin, piercing the three plies of the boot diagonally (as shown in FIG. 13) will serve to retain these plies in folded relation following the subsequent retraction of arm 50, i.e. until the head inserts the boot in the end of an open carton.

While the boot is being folded as described, with the head 36 retained in retracted position, an open-ended carton 10 is advanced by conveyor 30 to the bootinserting station 31 (i.e. into alignment with the two porating limit switches and control relays suitably interconnected to operate the various elements in the appropriate sequence. The limit switches include sensors (omitted for simplicity of illustration) arranged tosense or detect the completion of each successive step in the operation and to actuate the apparatus, upon such completion of each step, to perform the next successive step. For example, the pause of the head at extended position (to hold the boot in place at the carton end for insured adhesion of the boot to the carton) may be performed under control of a time delay relay. The elements of the control circuits may be individually conventional, and their arrangement and connection to effectuate the above-described sequence of steps will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

A boot blank suitable for use with the abovedescribed apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 14 18. This blank (shown in front perspective view in FIG. 14, and in rear perspective view in FIG. 15) is divided by two parallel scored lines 44a and 44b (extending across the width of the blank) into three panels 21a, 21b and 21c,

which constitute the three plies of the boot base portion 21. Panel 21a, which is the outermost ply of the base portion when the boot is inserted in the carton, may bear on its outer surface appropriate printed indicia identifying the carton contents, as shown in FIG. 14.

Three tabs, respectively designated 22, 23 and 25, project from the end and side margins of panel 21a, and are separated therefrom by scored lines, to constitute three of the four folded edge portions of the boot. The fourth folded edge portion 24 is provided by a tab projecting from the end margin of panel 21c and separated therefrom by a scored line.

When the boot blanks 44 are stacked at station 100, they are oriented with the outer surfaces of panels 21a facing upwardly, with scored lines 44a and 44b extending transversely of the direction of feed of conveyor 42, and with panel 210 (and its associated tab 24) directed toward the wall 104 (FIG. 4). Upon advance of a blank by conveyor 42 to station 102, the blank is positioned for register of panel 21a with head 36; ie head 36, in the position shown in FIG. 7, overlies and engages the outer surface of panel 210. As stated, the head conforms substantially in dimensions and configuration to the boot base portion; thus when the head picks up the boot blank 44, the scored line 44a is substantially aligned with the top edge of the head while tabs 22, 23 and 25 project laterally beyond the side and bottom edges of the head.

As the head 36 swings upwardly from its pickup position to its retracted position, the portion of the book blank comprising panels 21b and 210 projects above the head; but owing to the weakness of scored line 44a and to the weight of this projecting major portion of the boot blank, panels 21b and 21c drop downwardly along line 44a. This initial fold of the boot blank (illustrated in FIG. 16) is completed by the operation of arm 48 shown in FIG. 9.

While arm 48 holds panel 21b in the position shown 1 in FIG. 16, arm 50 folds panel 21c upwardly along line 44b into overlapping relation with panel 21b as shown in FIG. 17, the arm 48 being retracted as described during this upward folding of panel 210. When the folding operation is completed, the blank has the appearance shown in FIG. 17, with panels 21a, 21b and 210 overlapping to form the boot base portion. Tab 24 now projects above the upper edge of the head 36 engaging panel 21a.

In the final stage of shaping of the boot, the tabs 22, 23, 24 and 25 are folded by the guide members in the manner shown in FIG. 18, into the boxlike configuration of the finished boot.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the features and embodiments hereinabove specifically set forth but may be carriedout in other ways without departure from its spirit.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for closing an open end of a carton by inserting therein a boot piece, in combination,

a. means for advancing an open-ended carton to a locality for inserting a boot piece into the open carton end;

b. means for inserting a boot piece into an open end of a carton at said locality, said inserting means comprising i. a suction head for releasably holding a boot piece in position for insertion into a carton end with edge portions of the boot piece projecting laterally beyond the head, and

ii. means for moving the head along a defined path between a retracted position away from said locality and an extended position in which the head, holding a boot piece, is inserted within an open end of a carton at said locality;

c. fixed guide means disposed along said path for engaging and bending projecting edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances in said path past said guide means toward its extended position, to fold said edge portions for insertion into a carton end;

d. means for securing, in a carton end, a boot piece inserted therein by said head;

e. means for delivering to said head a foldable boot piece blank in unfolded condition to be held by said head by suction; and

f. means for folding a boot piece blank held by said head, to form a boot piece having edge portions projecting laterally beyond the head, prior to advance of said head past said guide means.

2. In apparatus for closing an open end ofa carton by inserting therein a boot piece, in combination,

a. means for advancing an open-ended carton to a locality for inserting a boot piece into the open carton end; b. means for inserting a boot piece into an open end of a carton at said locality, said inserting means comprising i. a suction head for releasably holding a boot piece in position for insertion into a carton end with edge portions of the boot piece projecting laterally beyond the head, and

ii. means for moving the head along a defined path between a retracted position away from said locality and an extended position in which the head, holding a boot piece, is inserted within an open end of a carton at said locality;

c. fixed guide means disposed along said path for engaging and bending projecting edge portions of a bootpiece held by said head as said head advances in said path past said guide means toward its ex tended position, to fold said edge portions for insertion into a carton end;

(1. means for securing, in a carton end, a boot piece inserted therein by said head;

e. means for delivering a flat scored blank, foldable to form a boot piece, to a location spaced laterally from said path adjacent the retracted position of the head;

f. means for pivotally moving said head between said retracted position and said last-mentioned location for pick-up of a blank by said head at said location and return of the head with the blank to said retracted position, said head holding the blank by suction; and

g. at least one pivotally movable arm connected to the head for engaging and folding against the head a portion of a blank held by the head, to form the blank into a boot piece, said arm being retractable for insertion of the boot piece by the head into a carton end.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including a second arm connected to the head and pivotally movable in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said first arm, for engaging and folding against the head another portion of a blank held by the head, in sequential relation to the folding operation of said one arm.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said one arm folds said blank portion to form a boot piece having plural plies overlying said head, and further includmg a. a pin carried by said head and b. means for moving said pin axially to effect insertion of the pin into the plural plies of a boot piece held by said head for retaining said plural plies in overlapping relation during advance of said head along said path.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said blank-delivering means comprises a conveyor for advancing a blank to said location, and means for displacing a blank from the conveyor in a direction transverse to the major surfaces of the blank to move the blank into contact with the head when the head is pivotally moved to said location as aforesaid.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of rigid guide members extending along and mounted in surrounding relation to said path, each of said guide members flaring outwardly away from said path at the end thereof facing the retracted position of said head, for engaging and progressively folding projecting edge portions of a boot piece being advanced by said head along said path.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said securing means comprises means for applying glue to exposed surfaces of folded edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances along said path.

8. Apparatus for closing opposed open ends of a carton by inserting a boot piece in each end of the carton, comprising, in combination,

a. conveyor means for laterally advancing an openended carton to a locality for insertion of boot pieces in the carton ends;

b. stop means for releasably arresting a carton on said conveyor at said locality;

c. a pair of boot-inserting assemblies respectively disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor at said locality in position for simultaneously inserting boot pieces in opposed open ends ofa carton arrested by said stop means at said locality; each of said inserting assemblies comprising d. means for inserting a boot piece into an open end of a carton at said locality. said inserting means comprising i. a suction head for releasably holding a hoot piece in position for insertion into a carton end with edge portions of the boot piece projecting laterally beyond the head, and

ii. means for moving the head along a defined path between a retracted position away from said lo cality and an extended position in which the head, holding a boot piece, is inserted within an open end of a carton at said locality;

e. fixed guide means disposed along said path for engaging and bending projecting edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances in said path past said guide means toward its extended position, to fold said edge portions for insertion into a carton end;

f. means disposed along said path for applying glue to exposed surfaces of the folded edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances in said path toward said extended position;

g. means for delivering to said head a foldable boot piece blank in unfolded condition to be held by said head by suction; and

h. means for folding a boot piece blank held by said head, to form a boot piece having edge portions projecting laterally beyond the head, prior to advance of said head past said guide means. 

1. In apparatus for closing an open end of a carton by inserting therein a boot piece, in combination, a. means for advancing an open-ended carton to a locality for inserting a boot piece into the open carton end; b. means for inserting a boot piece into an open end of a carton at said locality, said inserting means comprising i. a suction head for releasably holding a boot piece in position for insertion into a carton end with edge portions of the boot piece projecting laterally beyond the head, and ii. means for moving the head aLong a defined path between a retracted position away from said locality and an extended position in which the head, holding a boot piece, is inserted within an open end of a carton at said locality; c. fixed guide means disposed along said path for engaging and bending projecting edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances in said path past said guide means toward its extended position, to fold said edge portions for insertion into a carton end; d. means for securing, in a carton end, a boot piece inserted therein by said head; e. means for delivering to said head a foldable boot piece blank in unfolded condition to be held by said head by suction; and f. means for folding a boot piece blank held by said head, to form a boot piece having edge portions projecting laterally beyond the head, prior to advance of said head past said guide means.
 2. In apparatus for closing an open end of a carton by inserting therein a boot piece, in combination, a. means for advancing an open-ended carton to a locality for inserting a boot piece into the open carton end; b. means for inserting a boot piece into an open end of a carton at said locality, said inserting means comprising i. a suction head for releasably holding a boot piece in position for insertion into a carton end with edge portions of the boot piece projecting laterally beyond the head, and ii. means for moving the head along a defined path between a retracted position away from said locality and an extended position in which the head, holding a boot piece, is inserted within an open end of a carton at said locality; c. fixed guide means disposed along said path for engaging and bending projecting edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances in said path past said guide means toward its extended position, to fold said edge portions for insertion into a carton end; d. means for securing, in a carton end, a boot piece inserted therein by said head; e. means for delivering a flat scored blank, foldable to form a boot piece, to a location spaced laterally from said path adjacent the retracted position of the head; f. means for pivotally moving said head between said retracted position and said last-mentioned location for pick-up of a blank by said head at said location and return of the head with the blank to said retracted position, said head holding the blank by suction; and g. at least one pivotally movable arm connected to the head for engaging and folding against the head a portion of a blank held by the head, to form the blank into a boot piece, said arm being retractable for insertion of the boot piece by the head into a carton end.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including a second arm connected to the head and pivotally movable in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said first arm, for engaging and folding against the head another portion of a blank held by the head, in sequential relation to the folding operation of said one arm.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said one arm folds said blank portion to form a boot piece having plural plies overlying said head, and further including a. a pin carried by said head and b. means for moving said pin axially to effect insertion of the pin into the plural plies of a boot piece held by said head for retaining said plural plies in overlapping relation during advance of said head along said path.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said blank-delivering means comprises a conveyor for advancing a blank to said location, and means for displacing a blank from the conveyor in a direction transverse to the major surfaces of the blank to move the blank into contact with the head when the head is pivotally moved to said location as aforesaid.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of rigid guide members extending along and mounted in surrounding relation to said path, each of said guide members flaring outwardly away from said path at the end thereof facing the retracted position of said head, for engaging and progressively folding projecting edge portions of a boot piece being advanced by said head along said path.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said securing means comprises means for applying glue to exposed surfaces of folded edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances along said path.
 8. Apparatus for closing opposed open ends of a carton by inserting a boot piece in each end of the carton, comprising, in combination, a. conveyor means for laterally advancing an open-ended carton to a locality for insertion of boot pieces in the carton ends; b. stop means for releasably arresting a carton on said conveyor at said locality; c. a pair of boot-inserting assemblies respectively disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor at said locality in position for simultaneously inserting boot pieces in opposed open ends of a carton arrested by said stop means at said locality; each of said inserting assemblies comprising d. means for inserting a boot piece into an open end of a carton at said locality, said inserting means comprising i. a suction head for releasably holding a boot piece in position for insertion into a carton end with edge portions of the boot piece projecting laterally beyond the head, and ii. means for moving the head along a defined path between a retracted position away from said locality and an extended position in which the head, holding a boot piece, is inserted within an open end of a carton at said locality; e. fixed guide means disposed along said path for engaging and bending projecting edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances in said path past said guide means toward its extended position, to fold said edge portions for insertion into a carton end; f. means disposed along said path for applying glue to exposed surfaces of the folded edge portions of a boot piece held by said head as said head advances in said path toward said extended position; g. means for delivering to said head a foldable boot piece blank in unfolded condition to be held by said head by suction; and h. means for folding a boot piece blank held by said head, to form a boot piece having edge portions projecting laterally beyond the head, prior to advance of said head past said guide means. 